Category: bachelor of arts maori

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EIT | Te Pūkenga student living a lifelong dream by studying te reo and reconnecting with her whakapapa | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

7 mins ago

Amy Tuhoro has enjoyed studying the Bachelor of Arts (te reo Māori) at Te Whatukura at EIT | Te Pūkenga in Te Tairāwhiti.

Amy Tuhoro grew up disconnected from te reo Māori and Te Ao Māori, but is making amends now by exploring her culture and language through EIT | Te Pūkenga in Te Tairāwhiti.

Amy (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Tūhoe) grew up in Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty and spent many years as a caregiver before becoming a registered nurse. However a desire to learn te reo led her to enrol in a programme at the University of Waikato.

However, she felt the need to move to Te Tairāwhiti, an area where she has whakapapa to.

“We have connections to the area. That was the main reason for moving here, to get to know about Tairāwhiti and what the way of life is like here, and learning the history here.”

“It’s a different way of life here, and I wanted to learn about that.”

The move was made easier because she was able to cross-credit the courses she had done in Waikato and use it for her Bachelor of Arts (te reo Māori) at Te Whatukura at EIT | Te Pūkenga in Te Tairāwhiti.

“Our family grew up completely disconnected from te reo Māori and the Māori worldview. And I only started learning on and off night classes over the years, but I quit my job and sold my house in Hamilton and enrolled in full immersion last year.”

“It was a massive move and a lot of people thought I was crazy. I always felt like there was something missing and it has been a lifelong dream to be able to speak te reo, but I always found life happens. You can’t just do what I did, really, up and leave everything to pursue it, but the calling was that strong, I did.”

While Amy, 32, is keen to practice what she has learnt, she also wants to potentially use it in her former career in healthcare.

“While I am here, I’ve also been doing Māori medicine, and so to be able to combine both worlds would be ideal.”

Amy says the great thing about the Bachelor programme is the tutors.

“They’re not just teaching us about the language and the culture, they live and breathe it every single day. It’s not just a job to them, it’s who they are. And what more of a better example to learn from, really?”

“The other thing is that it is not just a programme. I’ve been to quite a few learning institutions in my time, but I’ve never felt the level of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga, the sense of family that you get at Te Whatukura at EIT.”

This may not be the last that EIT | Te Pūkenga has seen of Amy as she is keen to do her Honours in the Bachelor of Arts.

“EIT has just been granted to do the Honors programme here in Gisborne, so I’m weighing up whether I do that or not.”

Angela Tibble, Programme Co-ordinator and Lecturer at Te Whatukura, EIT | Te Pūkenga in Te Tairāwhiti, says: “Amy has bought humility, humour, wit, intelligence an open mind and heart to her studies this year.  We are pleased to extend the opportunity of another year of study here in the Tairāwhiti to explore further the opportunities of doing her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, Te Pikitanga ki Awarua.”

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Toihoukura graduate combines mechanical engineering with design to create tradition artwork | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

6 mins ago

Heremaia Barlow is combining traditional Māori art with mechanical engineering to create artwork.

A Toihoukura graduate, who also did a certificate in mechanical engineering at EIT | Te Pūkenga, is using that knowledge to create work using traditional Māori techniques.

Heremaia Barlow (Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāti Whātua) enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Māori) at Toihoukura, the School of Māori Visual Arts at EIT | Te Pūkenga, in 2019. He followed this up with  the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering L3 last year.

His focus in recent months has been an exhibition at the Tairāwhiti Museum., with one of his exhibits fabricated while studying at EIT|Te Pūkenga.

Heremaia, who is a full-time artist and also teaches in the Trades Academy at EIT | Te Pūkenga, says he was excited to share this exhibition, his first solo one, to show the journey of his growth in toi Māori.

Ataata is a reflection on the origins of whakairo and its journey through history, noting the inevitable changes incurred through the introduction of western tools and materials.

Retelling the pūrākau of Ruatepupuke, the origin story of whakairo, Heremaia Barlow endeavours to continue this narrative by asking, where to from here? Influenced by Raharuhi Rukupo, Cliff Whiting and Lyonel Grant, Heremaia makes his own journey through mediums pushing his own skill set and boundaries to a new horizon.

Since beginning his whakairo journey, he has employed traditional techniques of shadow-casting with steel chisels on native timber. Quickly realising that native timber is becoming a rare commodity, Heremaia has chosen to use similar techniques, with newer readily available materials such as MDF, acrylic and mild steel to create with.

Heremaia says he enjoyed studying at Toihoukura, despite it being in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

“We did go through COVID-19, so that was an interesting experience, in the end it did affect my final exhibition meaning my family couldn’t be there. But otherwise, besides that, it was an overall great experience.”

Heremaia, 31 grew up in Auckland and says that he wanted to study at Toihoukura since he was a teenager.

“It’s got a reputation throughout the country for Māori Art and produces some of the best Ta Moko artists today.”

He says that moving down to Gisborne had initially been quite hard.

“I didn’t have any family or friends here when I moved down. Also, the housing situation’s pretty tough. Especially when I came down, trying to find a boarding situation wasn’t easy. So, I just packed my stuff into my car and drove down and managed to find somewhere to stay in the day that I got here.”

After five years, he’s made Tūranganui a Kiwa home. He says the decision to study mechanical engineering was a natural progression.

“I’ve always been into cars and working on them. I think of myself as a tutu, so an opportunity to create artwork out of metal was an exciting proposition.”

“The idea behind it was to upskill into a different medium. People think it’s weird to go from art to engineering, I know I can adapt the skills and methods from the course and apply them into my art practice.”

“And if you look at the current landscape of public art, especially Māori art, it’s all going towards steel – the corten steel look. So, I think this is an opportunity to bridge the gap between Māori art and mechanical engineering.”

Tracey Tangihaere, the Executive Director of the Tairāwhiti Campus of EIT|Te Pūkenga and Acting Head of Toihoukura, says: “Heremaia is an excellent role model for potential students, as he has made a commitment to develop his creativity and always maintained his focus on creativity, entrepreneurship and health and wellbeing.”

“He has made a fantastic contribution to our Trades Academy Programme Pikitoi with our secondary school students. I am sure Heremaia will do well pursuing his dreams.”

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EIT | Te Pūkenga information day showcases wide range of programmes in Tairāwhiti, Wairoa and Ruatoria | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

EIT | Te Pūkenga will be holding open days on the Tairāwhiti Campus and the Wairoa and Ruatoria Learning Centres on 11 October.

A wide selection of programmes offered by EIT | Te Pūkenga will be on display at information and enrolment days in Tairāwhiti, Wairoa and Ruatoria next month

The day is open to anyone who is interested in studying at EIT | Te Pūkenga and who would like more information about what programmes are on offer.

The event will be held on 11 October between 9am and 6pm at the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus, while prospective students (ākonga) are welcome to go to the Wairoa and Ruatoria Learning Centres between 10am and 2pm on the same day.

Tracey Tangihaere, the Executive Director, Tairāwhiti at EIT | Te Pūkenga, says the information and enrolment day gives people of all ages the chance to view the full-time and part-time programmes on offer.

“We are very proud of our wide range of programmes and would encourage everyone to come and choose something that suits them.”

“We are quite unique in offering people a full range of qualifications from certificates to postgraduate level, with full-time, part-time and online study options available.”

“They also have the chance to remain at home with whānau while pursuing top class qualifications like our Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts through Toihoukura.”

“Whether you’re looking to get qualified, upskill, or just exploring your study options, come chat to our staff about how EIT | Te Pūkenga may support you.”

Prospective students will be given a tour of the campus and a chance to chat to the student liaison team and tutors about what is on offer.

Check out the EIT | Te Pūkenga website eit.ac.nz for more info or phone 0800 CALL EIT.

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EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus opens for information and enrolment day | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

49 seconds ago

The EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay campus will be open for an information and enrolment day between 9am and 6pm on 12 October.

The EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay campus, which has been largely closed since Cyclone Gabrielle struck, will open for an information and enrolment day next month.

The day is open to anyone who is interested in studying at EIT | Te Pūkenga and who would like more information about what programmes are on offer.

The event will be held between 9am and 6pm on 12 October at the EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus. Events will also be held on the same day between 10am and 2pm at the Maraenui, Hastings and CHB  Learning Centres

EIT | Te Pūkenga Executive Director Glen Harkness says it is an important achievement to have the Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale open for information day.

“A lot of hard work has been done to get our campus partially reopened and we are delighted to be able to welcome prospective students to come and see the wide range of programmes we offer.”

 “EIT | Te Pūkenga has shown over the years that we provide the people of Hawke’s Bay the opportunity to stay local but still achieve their tertiary education dreams.”

“We are quite unique in offering people a full range of qualifications from certificates to postgraduate level, with full-time, part-time and online study options available.”

“Whether you’re looking to get qualified, upskill, or just exploring your study options, come chat to our staff about how EIT | Te Pūkenga may support you.”

Prospective students will be given a tour of the campus and a chance to chat to the student liaison team and tutors about what is on offer.

Check out the EIT | Te Pūkenga website eit.ac.nz for more info or phone 0800 CALL EIT.

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Best friends set to graduate after finding their calling at EIT | Te Pūkenga | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

4 mins ago

Monty Karena (left) and Savanna Wharehinga with their certificates at the urupa of their much-loved tutor Ron Dennis.

Two best friends who met while studying at EIT | Te Pūkenga finished how they started – together – when they graduated on Friday.

Two hundred and forty graduates received their qualifications at two graduation ceremonies held at Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre in Hastings on Friday (18 August).

Consistently top two in the class since they enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Te Reo Māori [Level 2],  Savanna Wharehinga (Ngāti Porou) and Monty Karena (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngātiwai) will both graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Māori).

The pair, who had originally enrolled separately in the Certificate in Social Sciences in 2017 to become social workers, changed programmes when they were welcomed into Te Ūranga Waka, the School of Māori Studies in the first week.

“I think we were there for two days at Te Ūranga Waka, and then decided that that’s where we wanted to stay and keep studying,” Savanna says.

“We didn’t know it then, but we could feel something while we were there that was like ‘oh, this is where we’re supposed to be. And this is what we need to do’.”

Monty believes it was their calling. “We feel like te reo Māori found us”.

Savanna, now 39-years-old and a mother of three worked at McDonalds for 17 years. While 33-year-old Monty, a mother of four, had worked at various meat works since leaving high school and had just returned home from Australia after having twin boys, now seven-years-old.

“I just didn’t want to go back to the meat works. I swore to myself, ‘I’m never going back there’. So, I did whatever I needed to do,” Monty says.

The transition to study was the same for Savanna.

“I had had enough of working at McDonald’s, and I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life.”

Having the opportunity to study and forge a new path was something they both took in their stride.  

“When we first started studying, we didn’t know we were nerds, but we found out we actually are.” Monty says.

Throughout their time at EIT | Te Pūkenga, Savanna and Monty say they have felt supported by Kaimahi and peers, who are more like whānau. They credit a lot of this to Pareputiputi Nuku, Pouarataki, Te Ūranga Waka and their late tutor Ron Dennis.

Ron’s passing last year affected them deeply.

“It really took a toll on us, our whole unit in Te Ūranga Waka. It was really devastating, and we didn’t think we were going to make it through,” Monty admits.

“He really embraced us and his whole whānau did also. He was like a dad to us and we were just really lucky to be a part of his circle.”

They say it was Ron who inspired them to keep going.

“We knew what he would say to us if we withdrew, because he always told us ‘don’t be dumb, don’t be a tou kūare!’. Don’t make dumb decisions when you’re in an emotional state’, That’s what pushed us through, we wanted to make him proud, so we could say to him, ‘we finished it’,” Savanna says.

“We had a little graduation at Te Ūranga Waka last year, at the end of the year, and we went out to see him at the urupā, and took our certificates and said, ‘Look, we finished. We finished the year’,” Monty says.

Savanna is now a tutor at Te Ūranga Waka, teaching the NZ Certificate in Te Reo me Ngā Tikanga [Level 4].

Monty was a Kaiwhakaako at Te Ūranga Waka up until last week when she began work at Kauwaka – an organisation established in 2020 as a vehicle to contribute to the language and cultural revitalisation efforts within Ngāti Kahungunu. 

“We are definitely grateful for the opportunities that we have been given because we didn’t ask for it. Like we said, it’s where we’re supposed to be. And we’re on the path that we’re supposed to be on because everything’s just taken care of itself,” Monty says.

Savanna says: “We’re on the path that out tīpuna (ancestors) dreamed for us”.

While they have now finished their degree, Savanna and Monty both agree it is not the end of their journey with te reo Māori.

“It’s made us realise that if we want to carry on with our reo journey, we are responsible for that ourselves. Learning te reo Māori is a never-ending journey, so I don’t think we’ll ever stop learning.”

Pareputiputi Nuku, Pouarataki, Te Ūranga Waka, says: “Monty and Savanna stand out with their beautiful singing voices and bubbly personalities and as strong, confident, and skilled wāhine/kaiwhakaako”.

“I believe without a doubt Ron would be absolutely stoked about their achievements as we all are. Poho kereru ana mātau katoa i a kōrua. Nō kōrua te ao!”

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Celebrations as EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay students graduate | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

Students (ākonga) from EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay graduated at two ceremonies held at Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre in Hastings on Friday (18 August).

There were celebrations as EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay students (ākonga), who faced COVID-19 disruptions, graduated on Friday.

Two hundred and forty graduates received their qualifications at two graduation ceremonies held at Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre in Hastings on Friday (18 August).

In the first ceremony, held in the morning, 157 graduates from the Centre for Veterinary Nursing, IDEAschool, Te Uranga Waka, Schools of Education and Social Sciences, Primary Industries, Tourism and Hospitality, Trades and Technology, and Viticulture and Wine Science all graduated.

The afternoon saw 83 graduates from the Schools of Business, Computing, Health and Sport Science, and Nursing cross the stage.

Attending both ceremonies were Te Pūkenga Pourangi Hua Tiriti | Deputy Chief Executive Tiriti Outcomes Paora Ammunson; as well as Tumu Whenua a-Rohe 2 | Executive Directors Region 2, Kieran Hewitson and Huia Haeata. Napier City Councillor Keith Price, representing the city’s Mayor Kirsten Wise attended both ceremonies, while Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and Hinewai Ormsby, the Chair of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, attended the morning ceremony. Delegates from Chinese partnership university, Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages (ZYU), were also guests at the ceremonies.

Glen Harkness, EIT | Te Pūkenga Executive Director, congratulated all those who graduated..

“We know that COVID-19 brought multiple challenges over the years that these ākonga were at EIT | Te Pūkenga, but they can take pride in how they overcame that to achieve their diplomas, degrees and post graduate qualifications. Thanks to the kaimahi involved for all their hard work as well.”

“Once again EIT | Te Pūkenga is seeing a talented cohort graduating, which is a testament to the high quality programmes that we offer across the board. We have no doubt that these graduates will go on to make a mark in their chosen careers.”

Graduation ceremonies for the Tairāwhiti and Auckland campuses of EIT | Te Pūkenga were held earlier this year.

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Celebrations as cohort graduates from EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

Graduates from EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti on parade at the graduation ceremony in Gisborne today.

A cohort of ākonga (students) from EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus were celebrated in front of kaimahi (staff), whānau and friends as they graduated today.

After delays to the ceremony, first due to COVID-19 early last year, and again because of Cyclone Gabrielle, the Tairāwhiti Graduation Ceremony was held today (Friday August 4) at the War Memorial Theatre.

Of the 68 ākonga to graduate, 58 attended.

Kieran Hewitson, Te Pūkenga Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 2 | Executive Director, Region 2, was the keynote speaker. Also in attendance was Te Pūkenga Chief Digital Officer Teresa Pollard and Huia Haeata, Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 2 | Executive Director, Region 2.

Bachelor of Computing Systems graduates Joshua Vincent Reedy and Niamh Carroll Athy were recognised with special awards.

Joshua won the Cyclone Computer Company Ltd Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Computing Systems, and Niamh won the Spark Digital Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Computing Systems.

Ashleigh Marie Harding won the PricewaterhouseCoopers Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Business Studies Accounting Major.

Tracey Tangihaere, Executive Director of the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus, says the ceremony was recognition of the talent coming through EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti.

“We wish to congratulate all ākonga for this achievement during some difficult times. They have done the mahi and now it is time for them to reap the rewards.”

“We are proud of the programmes we offer at Tairāwhiti which offers locals a wide range of career pathways to excel in.”

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Valedictorian says studying Māori Visual Arts at EIT Te Pūkenga has been a beautiful journey | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

4 hours ago

Bridy Rihari-Lundon (Ngāpuhi, Waikato Tainui is this year’s Valedictorian for the Tairāwhiti Campus of EIT Te Pūkenga.

Bridy Rihari-Lundon (Ngāpuhi, Waikato Tainui), who is this year’s Valedictorian for the Tairāwhiti Campus of EIT|Te Pūkenga, says that studying Māori Visual Arts at has been a beautiful journey.

Bridy, who is currently doing her Masters of Māori Visual Arts at Toihoukura, , is graduating today (Friday 4 August) with her Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts degree. The Tairāwhiti Graduation Ceremony will be held at the War Memorial Theatre.

Bridy says that at first she did not realise the significance of being named as Valedictorian, but she now is pleased that she is.

“So now that I understand, I am actually quite honoured to stand to speak and to represent not only just EIT and Toihoukura, but my friends and the whole campus.”

Brady says she has recently completed her Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts and is now on her Masters. She is doing this long distance from Waikato, where she is working fulltime at the kura Tōku Māpihi Maurea.

She has loved her time at EIT|Te Pūkenga and has grown as an artist.

“I’d say it’s been the most beautiful journey and probably one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I’m so glad that I went there. I wasn’t sure that was the right place for me, but after a year I knew that I was meant to be there, so it really helped me a lot.

This year’s EIT Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti
Valedictorian Bridy Rihari-Lundon with some of her work.

“One thing that taught me about myself, I think despite the long distance, living away from home, I had to find the beauty in this town, in Gisborne, and one was connecting to the land and sea, and second was allowing myself to open up and feel the warmth of the people.”

“I’m a painter, so I mostly just paint. I do draw sometimes, but this year I’m trying to actually interpret and incorporate a couple of other elements. I’m trying to spread out and dive into other mediums and become a quite diverse, multi-medium artist.”

“I’m looking at going into a bit of bone and stone carving in the future and doing ta moko.”

Last year Bridy received the Ruanuku Award, which is awarded each year to the top all round student at Toihoukura. The Ruanuku is a final year undergraduate art student who performs at a high level across a range of requirements. As part of award, two pieces of Bridy’s work have been selected by the Tairāwhiti Museum and purchased, through the support of Professor Jack Richards, for the Tairāwhiti Museum permanent Māori arts collection.

Bridy is enjoying her life as a teacher. The aim is to eventually study for her teaching degree.

“I suppose because my purpose for now and probably for my future is to give back, and that’s what I’m trying to do. So it really makes me happy knowing that I can share my skills and my knowledge and pass it down so it carries on the art form and the teachings.”

For now Bridy is preparing for the Graduation Ceremony which will be held on Friday (5 August) at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne.

“I’m acknowledging the people, the campus, EIT, and Toihoukura, the staff and managers, administrators, all of that. And then I’m doing a little bit of reflection on my three years at Toihoukura, what it was like for me. I will highlight a lot of the opportunities that were offered to us and a few words of wisdom and congratulating my friends, of course, my peers.”

Tracey Tangihaere, the Executive Director of the Tairāwhiti Campus of EIT|Te Pūkenga and Acting Head of Toihoukura, says: “Bridy is a great role model for young Māori Wahine, she exemplifies the value of Matauranga Māori and Toi Māori.”

“Toihoukura tutors are very proud of all their graduates today and comment that  Bridy has been a great ambassador across the country and in Canada creative sectors, I am sure she will be successful in her chosen career. We expect to her as a rising star in the Toi Māori skyline.”